It’s not easy playing your father.
James Gandolfini’s look-alike son Michael Gandolfini learned that firsthand when he was cast as the young Tony Soprano in “Many Saints of Newark.”
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Ahead of the mob film’s release, Gandolfini spoke to Empire about being cast in the iconic role calling it the “toughest decision” he ever had to make.
"I didn’t want to put pressure on myself to walk out of this feeling like I’d grown in terms of my feelings toward my dad," the 22-year-old revealed, per FOX.
The film is an origin story of “Sopranos” patriarch as he grew up in “one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark, N.J., history." Throughout the film, fans will see him getting pulled into the mafia life as he rises up and challenges the “all-powerful DiMeo crime family.”
"I just wanted to be the best actor I could be, portraying Tony in the way David [Chase] wanted, scene by scene,” he added.
He admitted that his version of the young Tony Soprano does have a few key differences that fans may pick up on.
"My dad’s character had all this beautiful sensitivity underneath this aggression," explained Michael, adding, "This version of him is the reverse."
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He added: "His curiosity and sensitivity comes first. He’s not a gun-wielding gangster. He’s a kid who gets whittled down and pulled in."
Gandolfini also revealed that he hadn’t watched the HBO drama until he was cast to fill his father's shoes.
The actor, who played Joey Dwyer on “The Deuce,” admitted that he didn’t think about his grief at all because he knew it would negatively impact his performance.
James passed away in 2013 of a heart attack.
His widow, Deborah, told The Post that she believes her late husband would be happy and proud of the casting.
"I know it took a lot of courage for him to take this role," she said, adding, "It was very emotional. But the whole family is just so proud of him. His father would be very proud."
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The film also stars Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, and Ray Liotta.
Its premiere date was initially postponed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to its theater debut on October 1, it will be available for streaming on HBO Max throughout October.
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